Posted on 05/17/2004 5:15:02 AM PDT by GulliverSwift
CANNES, France (Reuters) - American film-maker Michael Moore (news)'s "Fahrenheit 9/11," a savage critique of President Bush (news - web sites)'s handling of Iraq (news - web sites) and the war on terror, was warmly applauded by critics at its first press showing on Monday.
The fast-paced film by Oscar-winning Moore is a telling work of propaganda by a moviemaker whose zeal to deride Bush exudes from every frame.
Two years ago, the director's anti-gun lobby documentary "Bowling for Columbine" grabbed the headlines at Cannes and then went on to gross $120 million worldwide and win him an Oscar.
Fahrenheit 9/11 has already whipped up an international media storm after the Walt Disney Co barred its Miramax film unit from releasing such a politically polarizing work in a U.S. election year.
The film focuses on how Americans and the White House responded to the Sept. 11, 2001 hijacking attacks and traces links between the Bush family and prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden (news - web sites).
The screen goes dark. The sound is of planes crashing into the Twin Towers before the grief of the victims is contrasted with Bush sitting, apparently impassively, in a Florida schoolroom for nine minutes after the news was broken to him.
Moore uses a pop soundtrack to mocking effect.
As shots are shown of members of the bin Laden family being hastily flown out of the United States after September 11, up surges the song: "I gotta get out of this place."
He shows gum-chewing pop star Britney Spears (news) supporting the president. Outside the White House, a woman doubles up in grief, sobbing uncontrollably over the death of her son in Iraq.
In the light of the current controversy over pictures of Iraqi prisoners being abused, the film is bang up-to-date, showing film of American soldiers mocking the dead and posing with hooded Iraqi detainees.
Sarcastic humor abounds. Moore even shows a clip of Bush shouting at him: "Behave yourself will you. Go find real work."
In Washington, Moore goes on a bizarre recruiting drive.
He stops Congressmen in the street and asks "There's not that many Congressmen that have got kids over there (in Iraq) ... in fact only one. Maybe you guys should send your kids there first."
"What do you think about that idea?" he asks before getting the brush-off.
From the front-room of a grieving family, he switches to big businesses looking for contracts in Iraq.
An executive working for an armored vehicles company tells him: "Unfortunately, at least for the near term, we think it is going to be a good situation ... good for business, bad for the people."
But the film is most effective when focusing on raw emotion.
The camera pans in on a grieving mother, her voice cracking as she reads out the last letter she received from her son before he was killed in Iraq.
Telling how she collapsed on hearing the news over the phone, she said: "Your flesh just aches. You're just not supposed to bury your own son."
Maybe fat boy should put a segment in his next movie about how he refuses to be interviewed on camera by people who are critical of him. Don't count on it, of course.
Thought you were talking about Rush, for a moment there. But Rush isn't fat...
That being said, why is this guy still breathing my air?
I'd like to meet Michael. We could have a few beers and talk about world affairs. Then I could beat the living crap out of him.
The USA's gone basically. We're too weak to survive this war. moore and his ilk are going to win, while we fade away.
Just his shoes and his glasses.
If we want to protest, we should let it come out, and be ready for refutation, not supression. If we can get a rundown of Moore-on's lies and illusions, we can play it as the core of the Democratic party and show their lies and cancerous hatred to the middle of America-- it can become a net plus for Bush.
I suggest a re-write!!
Anti-American film-maker Michael Moore (news)'s "Fahrenheit 9/11, . . ."
There's more, but I think that's a good start!
I'm beginning to agree.
It's fine to talk about it and get the word out to tell people NOT to go see it. He's such a scumbag that it's the least you can do whenever someone brings him up.
As long as the people on top don't say anything about it and the people at the grassroots do, then Moore's hit piece will go nowhere.
Yes, it must be ignored at all costs!! NO PROTESTS!!!
Wrong, we are strong and we will prevail.
Im going to send you a copy of the little engine that could just to teach you the basics of positive thought and its benefits.
And its not just wishful thinking as a lot of progress has been, and is being made.
Monty22: I think I cant, I think I cant..
As a man thinks is his heart, so is he.
Your cant do attitude is lame.
Nothing visibly organized against him but we need to get the word out in our own lives that Moore is a lying smear artist a complete hypocrite and a grotesque "human" being.
The Environmental Protection Agency warns that exposure to Michael Moore is as toxic as prolonged confinement with a flatulent camel.
We'll know shortly whether we're strong.. ie who wins the election and how this movie does.
Yep, that's the way to go.
The Euros are going to be shocked when Bush wins in a landslide this November.
It would be great to see some major progress in Iraq before the election of course.
Drudge is saying some of the 37,000 troops in SK will be moved to Iraq soon, that should help.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.